October 2012

These are some of my favorite photos of our trip to NYC. Brad and I had a wonderful time. I just knew we would be 2 country bumpkins in the city fumbling around, but we did quite well. We stayed at the Sofitel on 44th, visited Times Square, took a carriage ride through Central Park, ate a nice dinner at Carmine's, saw the Statue of Liberty, visited the World Trade Center area, had a dinner party at a wonderful steakhouse followed by Fraunces Tavern, first subway ride (for me),first taxi cab ride (for me), first train ride (for me), Toys R Us, Apple, coffee at Tim Horton's and the list goes on. We were very impressed with NYC! There's so much to see and do. We love the energy of the city!

September 2012

It was back to school for Jayce. He started the 4th grade. He learned early on that it will be a challenging year, but he is ready! He will also be participating in the gifted and talented program this year, too. LAKYN started kindergarten this year. It was hard to let her go, but she was more than ready. She was even more excited because her best friend, Briella would be in her class, too. Conley started his preschool program. He is s big kid now. He will go 4 mornings a week. Moma has made friends of her own in the neighborhood, too. I think we are starting to really adjust to living here in Jersey.

August 2012

Lots of fun packed into this month! Jayce turned the big 10! He had a few friends over for Oreo pie! Jayce and LAKYN both scored parts in the Missoula's Children's Theatre's, Jack and the Beanstalk. Jayce played the ring leader which was great! He was the star of the show! LAKYN was a very cute and sweet, magic bean. We spent a few days at the beach about an hour away and playing in the neighborhood with our friends!

July 2012

July brought on even warmer weather with lots of time playing in the backyard. We celebrated Conley's 3rd birthday here at the house. A monster truck party was a fun theme. I made the cake myself which was really fun! We spent more time at 6 flags which is only about 20 minutes from our house.

June 2012

June was a busy month. The weather here in Jersey was perfect. Jayce wrapped up baseball, and Lakyn wrapped up tball. We visited 6 flags many times. We had lots of fun in the little pool, playing with friends and playing with Jesse. LAKYN had her first dance recital. It was a great start to a fab summer!

MVP

Jayce was voted team MVP for his performance in Saturday's game. Marlins were down 2-0 in the bottom of the 3rd with 1 on and 1 out when Jayce ripped a line drive for a base hit. Later that inning, he slid around the catcher's tag to score the Marlin's first run, sparking a 3 run rally with 2 outs. In the bottom of the 6th with the Yankees at bat, runner on 3rd and no outs, Jayce caught a line drive at 3rd robbing the Yankees of a base hit and saving a run which he helped preserve a 3-2 Marlins WIN! We are so proud! Way to go, Jayce!

April 2012

April showers: Wherever Conley goes, his rain boots go, too. He loves the mud!

Easter: I was recovering from surgery, so we didn't get dressed up and attend church this year. We had a Bible lesson at home and the kids dressed themselves. Can you tell? Their squeals of delight were sweet as they searched for eggs. I thought they would have wanted to hide and find eggs more than once. One time was plenty since it was so chilly!

Brad's birthday: 38 this year! We had a fish fry, homemade yellow cake, Ice cream, and played pin the tail on the donkey. It was simple, but just the way Brad likes things.

Baseball: This is Lakyn's first year to play tball. She is so cute as she slightly jogs to the bases! She is a good hitter. Each time she hits, she looks to Moma and daddy for praise! Jayce is playing the minors this year. He is pretty darn good at it, too! Conley thinks he is on Lakyn's team! He sits with her in on the bench and tries to get on the field!

Camping: Brad took this kids camping at Raystown lake in Pennsylvania. They drove for 5 hours to find a lake big enough for our little boat. The lakes here are tiny! The kids had a blast fishing, playing at the park, sleeping in the tent and making s'mores. Jayce caught the only fish over the weekend!

Take Your Child to Work Day: Jayce left for work with his Daddy this morning. He was pretty sleepy, but he was super excited! I am anxious to hear all about his Day as a Jag officer!

April's not over, yet. We are hoping May will be warmer with even more fun!

Finally...5!

I am finally getting a picture of Lakyn at her 5th birthday party at Great Wolf Lodge! It seems like not long ago that she was being so brave in the nicu, swinging in her baby swing, clapping for herself as she took her first steps, trick or treating with her purple cast, running out the door after her daddy with her pink tackle box....time flies! We love our precious butterfly who is so helpful, kind, tender hearted but tough, loving, creative, beautiful, witty and happy!

Happy 5th Birthday, Lakyn!

We surprised Lakyn with a trip to the Pocono Mountains to the Great Wolf Lodge for her birthday! She has been missing the lake and the warmth of south Texas, so we thought being able to enjoy the water would be a perfect gift. At 2pm, we handed her a gift box with a bathing suit, flip flops and a brochure to the lodge! The bags were already packed, so we got on the road. By about 630pm, we were playing at the water park. Lakyn was so excited and rode all the rides for her height. Her favorite slide was the one we called "toilet bowl!" We later enjoyed cupcakes in the room by the fire! It started snowing which was only fitting since it snowed the day she was born!

Lakyn is 42 inches tall and weighs 42 pounds. She loves: Strawberry Shortcake, unicorns, her fuzzy bear named Curley, ballet, Word World, crafts, painting, riding her bicycle, games, candy, spaghetti, comfy clothes, cowgirl boots, her earrings,barbies, and her Daddy! She loves us all, but her Daddy is very special. Lakyn is very kind and giving. She thinks Conley is her little baby! She is pretty bossy with Jayce just like any other little sister. She is very witty and quite funny! She just told me today that she is a doctor for ladybugs! How sweet!

Bass Pro Shops January 2012

What a weekend! We went to Bass Pro Shops in Harrisburg, PA where we met Gene Ellison, a professional fisherman. The kids also enjoyed climbing in and out of boats, looking at the fish, doing a fish craft, and shopping. We enjoyed driving through Amish country which is so pretty. The city of Philadelphia was really pretty that night as we drove home, too!

After we got home, Jayce and I sent Mike Iaconelli, Jayce's favorite professional fisherman a message on FB. Mike responded by telling Jayce "hello" and will send Jayce a list of his favorite fishing spots in New Jersey! Jayce is pretty excited!

It is super cold here in New Jersey, but no snow, yet. I can do without the snow, but the kids are waiting patiently for it. I think it is on its way! We are trying to learn how to live here happily in this very different part of the country. I think we are finding our niche.

What's up with the kids?

Jayce: working hard at school, reading A Dolphin's Tale, playing football on the playstation, having sleepovers with his new best friend and neighbor, talking to professional fisherman, watching football, giving his brother and sister a hard time for getting into his room and his stuff, just grown out of the jeans he got for Christmas, and waiting on the snow.

Lakyn: chose a lime green color for her latest pedicure and manicure, got her ears pierced and didn't cry, loves to tie knots, waiting on the snow, helping us cook, and pestering her little brother and big brother just a little!

Conley: still in his cast, found himself a "cane" the other day, talks up a storm, counts, can just about sit through an entire movie at the theater, wears a size 4T, LOVES candy, enjoys washing dishes, loves to play with his new Mickey Mouse fishing rod, likes to cook, and help with laundry.

Wrap UP!

Wow, I am so far behind with updating this blog! Before Christmas, my computer crashed. I am learning Brad's mac and my new iPad. I am just getting around to kind of figuring out how to upload photos. December was super busy but so much fun!

-took at trip to Arkansas and Texas
-Conley rode on an airplane for the first time. He didn't like it. He cried and screamed the entire time.
-The first plane ride Lakyn remembers. She loved it. Jayce enjoyed flying, too.
-Kids spend an entire weekend with the Grandparents while Brad and I traveled to Killeen, TX.
-Brad was a groomsman in Joseph's wedding at Fort Hood.
-Brad and I had a fun time hanging out in Killeen and at the wedding.
-Spent several more days in Arkansas celebrating Christmas by hanging out with family! The kids loved playing with their cousins!
-Conley fractured his tibia on the left leg. As far as we know, he stepped on a toy while walking through the living room. This part was not so fun!
-Celebrated our first Christmas in New Jersey.
-Lakyn and Conley got a jeep for Christmas!
-Jayce got a PS3 for Christmas!
-Brad and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary by getting iPhones and eating Mexican food!

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